Automatic transmission



Sept 10, 1940. .1. SNL-:ED

AUTOMATIC TnANsmssroN origina; Filed oct. 24, -191:54

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Il IHII Il.: Ilm

Snnentor I0/75V $1755? r f attorneys 5 sheets-shet 2 0 5 M .M fr

J. SNEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

original Filed oct. 24, 1934 Sept. l0, 1940.

w n m m Sept.`l0, 1940. J. sNEED 'AUTOMATIC 'IRANSMISS ION Original Filed Qct. 24. 1934A 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 nnentor l JOHN .SA/ED Sept. 1G, 1940,. J. s NEr-:D

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct. 24, 1934 Zhwentor JOA//V SNEEO,

f /ttornegs Sept 10, w40. NEED -2,214,001

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Original Filed Oct. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Snventor (lttornegf PatentedSept. 10, 1940 l UNITED STATESr AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION John Sneed, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich.

Application October 24, 1934, Serial No. 749,795

, Y lRenewed October 11, 1939 29 Claims.

This invention relates to transmission mechanism adapted, for example, for use in automotive vehicles, and more particularly relates to aV transmission mechanism which is automatic in the sense that different gear ratios or gear` reductions are established between the driving and driven shafts in response to the varying demands imposed upon the engine of the vehicle through a wide range of different speed and load conditions.

For the purpose of illustrating and describing my invention I will refer to it in the environment of an automobile of the' types in common use appreciate that the application of the principles of my transmission or the transmission itself may well be suited to many other and varied uses.'

It is among the objects of myv invention to provide an automatic transmission, which will, without manual aid, Select and establish gear ratios between the driving and driven shafts which are most conducive to the best performance of a vehicle in which the transmission is used. Another object of my invention is to provide a transmission mechanism, which, while it automatically tends to establish a great reductionbetween the speed of the driving'shaft and the driven shaft at relatively low speeds and relatively high loads, such as starting loads, also tends to and effectively does establish a lesser gear reduction or no gear reduction between the driving and driven shafts when the torque load between such shafts falls below the point where the prime mover of the vehicle may easily and efliciently handle the load even at low speeds.

Another objectl of my invention is to provide a transmission mechanism in which the 'effect of the speed of the vehicle and the load imposed upon the prime mover of the vehicle are balanced one against the otherv in such a manner that the speed relationship between the driving and driven shaft be such as to permit the prime mover to function at high-.eiciency throughout the range of its torquey characteristics while driving the vehicle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a transmission mechanismr which will lrespond by way of changing or maintaining speed relationships betweenv the driving and driven.shaftthat will permit the driver of the vehicle by mere control of the prime mover to obtain the speed relationship between the driving and driven shafts which is most conducive to the acceleration or speed or economy that the driver desires.

A further object'of my invention is to provide a transmission mechanism which, in its applica-- tion to an-automobile, will of itself' effectively, without manual assistance orcontrol, select and establish greater speed reductions between-the driving and driven shaft without loss of torque therebetween as the load on the prime mover is increased when the speed is less than a predetermined amount.

Another object of my invention is to provide a transmission that will automatically change from its maximum gear reduction to no gear reduction with relatively small increases in speed, provided the torque load is light, and will maintain a condition or no gear reduction at low speeds, while the torque loadis light, but will establish of itself a lower gear ratio when the torque load is high, except that when the speed of the vehicle or the driven shaftis so fast that the prime mover cannot deliver a greater torque to the driving wheels by a lower gear ratio then the higher ratio is maintained to preserve an optimum performance of the engine.

Another object of my invention is to provide y a transmission mechanism in which the change speed selection and control, at least in forward speeds is wholly containedvwithin the transmission itself, and in which the forces transmitted act within the mechanism to participate in the selection and change of gear reductions between' plurality of friction members, part of which have gear teeth and part of whichl are splined to a revolvable member so that they may function as a gear when pressure is applied to the plurality-of members and may be rendered inoperative by'release of such pressure.

Another object of my invention is toprovide a transmission in which torque and speed supply the controlling forces for selecting and establishing gear vreductions between the drivii-igand driven shafts and in which the forces responsive.

to Atorque are balanced against the forces `responsive to speed through agencies which may the force of the governor is transmitted to the mechanisms which select and maintain one Vor more gear ratios.

An'other object of my invention is to provide in a transmission a centrifugal governor which tends to move an element between inclined cam surfaces, one of which is urged toward the other 'according to the transmitted torque and the other of which is movable to a limited distance to establish one gear ratio, but which at the limit of its movement serv-es as a reaction member upon which the governor reacts to move the other to establish another gear ratio. l

Other objects of my invention are to provide' a transmission mechanism which is simple in construction, light in weight, compact in size, economical of manufacture, and durable and dependable in operation. Many other objects appurtenant to the foregoing have been achieved in carrying out the principles of my invention and in the design and construction thereof, which will appear and be more readily understood in connection with the following description of what I now regard as a preferred form of my invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 'I'he essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of my transmission as assembled for use in an automotive vehicle, and includes a universal joint and propeller shaft at one end thereof as is common in such installations; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View aimed radially outward along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectionv taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. l; Figure 5 is a view of the overrunning clutch and release assembly; Figure 6 is a showing of an alternative form of cup-member. Figure 7 is a sectional showing of an alternative form of the low gear clutch actuating y mechanism.

Figure 8 is a sectional showing of an alternative form of the second speed clutch gear cam arrangement.

Figure 8a is a showing of the cam element of the form of Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a view of the centrifugal governor assembly.

Figure 9a is an enlarged vertical section taken on line A-A of Figure 9.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the governor weight.

Figure 11 is a sectional view of the governor weight and roller assembly.

Figure 12 is a sectional view online |2|2 of Figure 3 showing the low speed clutch-gear starter.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic showingaf the cam surfaces cooperating with the centrifugal governor rollers.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic showing of the spllned engagement between the drum andv thel helical torque gear.

Referring to the drawings my transmission mechanism is shown as mounted within a main outer casing I suitably flanged at its forward end as at 2 for attachment to the usual clutch housing of a ,motor vehicle engine not shown. At the forward end, the main casing I is enclosed by a plate 3. At the rearward end of the transmission the main casing I extends inwardly as at 4 and provides a bearing support as at 5 for the rearward end of the main part of the mechanism. An extension casing 6 is appended and secured to the rearward end of the main casing and in turn carries a conventional universal joint mechanism 'I and housing 8 into which enters the propeller shaft 9.

One of the advantages of the construction of -my transmission mechanism is that such parts as the main casing I, plate 3 and the extension E may be advantageously and economically drawn from sheet or strip stock in suitable drawing presses as are well known to those skilled in the art.

At the forward errd of the mechanism is a driving shaft I0, splined as at according to common practice, for engagement with a suitable clutch mechanism, not shown for effecting releasable engagement between the transmission mechanism and the prime mover of the vehicle.

At the rearward end of the transmission and connected with the propeller Ishaft 9 by the universal joint 1 'is the driven shaft I2, which is splined as at I3, and carries a shiftable collar |4 having internal teeth 5 for engaging one part or another of the transmission mechanism proper by virtue of which the driven shaft may be driven in either forward or reverse direction, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Between the driving` shaft I0 and the driven shaft I2 is interposed the change-speed mechanism proper, the rearward end of which is rotatably supported in the bearing 5 of the main casing I, and the forward end of which is supported in an annular shoulder I6 formed in the forward cover plate 3; the plate 3 preferably being indented as at to transmit radial load between it and the main casing I.

Turning now, more particularly, to the changespeed mechanism, the driven shaft I2, above referred to, is hollow at its forward end as at 20 and bears within its hollow end the rearward end of a shaft 2| l on suitable bearings 22. The shaft 2| extends forwardly through a bushing 23, and has at its forward end an annular concentric flange 24, an eccentrically located internal bearing hole 25, and also an external eccentric bearing projection 2B, the outer periphery of which forms an eccentric bearing support which is eccentric both with relation to the axis' of the shaft 2| and the axis of the internal bearing 25.

Secured to the face of the flanged end 24 of the shaft 2| and contacting the surface thereof and spaced from the bearing support 26 is a gear carrier and eccentric bearing support 30 attached by such suitable means as studs 3|. The body of the gear carrier 30 in the plane 2--2 is shown, for example, in Fig. 2 to be crescent shaped in cross-section, and is preferably enlarged somewhat as at'32 and 33 to afford a somewhat greater bearing area thereupon.

'I'he gear carrier 30 extends forwardly, and terminates in an annular portion 34, whichl encompasses the driving shaft I and bears the same in suitable bearings 35. The gear carrier 30 is in turn rotatably supported with respect to the azigooi 1- maincasing through the col1ar36 in suitable bearings, such as the plain bearings 3`I and 38 between which is shown another concentric element 39 yet to be described. f

Thus it is seen that the gear carrier is mounted concentrically and rotates concentrically with the driving and driven shafts and only partially encloses various of the gears iwhich it carries, and permits those gears to contact with internal gears (see also Fig. 2) which surround and encompass both the gear carrier and the gears therein contained. It will further be seen that the' gears within the gear carrier, while eccentrically mounted with respect to the axis of the driving and driven shafts, may be balanced with respect to their mass .against the mass of the wall of the gear carrier, so that a perfectly balanced composite mass of gear carrier and gearsl may be rotated within the transmission. For convenient reference it willperhaps be best to consider the gear carrier 3!) and the shaft 2i with the eccentric bearings carried thereby all as the gear carrier, because both the gear carrier 30 as if in one solid Piece.

The carrier 3d acting in conjunction with the shaft 2l supports and carries the eccentric bear` ings for the gears therein. As noted above, an internal bearing hole 25 is formed eccentrically of the axis of the shaft 2 I, and an external bearing part 26, eccentric both to the axis of the shaft 2l and the axis of the bearing 25, also' supports another eccentric bearing. Complementary to and aligned with the axes of the eccentric bearing just described is another bearing member 2l (see also Fig. 4) which is assembled with and secured to the carrier 30 in its midportion by such means as cap screws 2I'. In the bearing member 21 are provided a pair of internal bearing surfaces 25A which are coaxially aligned with the bearing hole 25. In the member 2 there isalso provided an internal bearing surface 26a which is coaxially aligned with the external bearing part 26.

Upon the rearward end of the driving shaft III is formed or otherwise suitably attached an external gear 4B which meshes with the internal gear 4I of a composite internal external gear and shaft 42. This composite gear has external teeth, radially opposite the internal gear 4I, at 43, and also has at the opposite end thereof a small external gear formed or secured thereon as at 44. 'I'he composite gear 42 rotates freely within the carrier 30 upon bearings 45 near its mid-portion within the bearing support 21 on the surfaces 25A, and upon bearings 4S at its rearward end disposed Within the bearing hole 25 above referred to. It will thus be seen that the driving shaft I0 directly engages the composite gear 42 and tends to rotate it within thebearings and 46.

'I'he smaller external gear 44 of the composite gear 42 meshes with a separate internal-external gear 50, which latter gear is in turn eccentrically mounted with respect to the composite gear and also with respect to the axis of the gear carrier, and is Supported in the bearings 5I and 52, the former of which is carried on the eccentric projection 26 at the forward end of the shaft 2|, and the latter carried in the Vbearing support 2'IA on the surface 26a. When the driving shaft I0 drives the composite gear and the drive is taken through the last mentioned gears, i. e., 44 and 50, the gear is rotated in the same direction as the composite gear and at a reduced speedL and the torque reaction on the eccentric bearings in both instances tends to rotate the gear carrier in the opposite direction.

From the foregoing description those skilled in the art will understand that when, by means yet to be described, the drive is eected through the driving shaft III, composite gear 42 and internal external gear 50, and when the gear carrier is held against backward rotation, a double reducy tion in speed at this point will be effected between the driving shaft and the gear 50. When, howther the composite gear 42 or the internal external gear 5I), so far as that portion of the mecha nism is concerned, a direct drive may be established between the driving and driven shafts.

Thus by selection of one of the four possibilities just described, I provide in my transmission a low, intermediate, high or direct drive, and also reverse, to use the parlance commonly used in connection with automobile transmission mechanisms.

To restrain the gear and eccentric bearing carrier 30 with the shaft 2l against negative rotation when forward rotation of the' driven shaft is desired, I provide an overrunning clutch (see also Fig. 5) at the forward end of the carrier and disposed between the forward end of the carrier and the fixed bearing collar 36 above described. The roller clutch 60 being interposed between the collar 36 and the carrier 30 restrains the carrier against negative rotation and takes the torque reaction when the drive is in either low or intermediate speed.

When it is desired to drive the driven shaft in a reverse direction, the carrier 30 is connected to the driven shaft through the shaft 2l by means of. the collar I4 and the gear 1I attached to thewhich is pivoted on the axis 'I'and manually controlled through suitable means such as the lever 11.

To free the roller clutch for reverse rotation of the carrier 30 I provide the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, which consists essentially of the cage 6I which has suitable openings through which the rollers may engage the converging clutch surfaces as at 62 and 63, but which, upon being rotated as indicated in Figure 5, moves the rollers out of operative relationship to the clutch surfaces. The cage 6I is manually controlled preferably through a Bowden. conduit control 64 which (see Fig. 1) may beconnected with the end of the lever 'I'I so that manual control of the lever 'I1 performs the double function of releas- Y the outer'drum |00, thence through the helical,

by the driving shaft I0. The following descripi tion is directed more particularly to the means by which the torque arid drive are selectively taken from these gears to effect, in the first instance, a low, intermediate and direct drive relationship between the driving and the driven shafts.

Rotatably mounted concentrically of the axis of the driving and driven shafts and rotatably supported with respect to the main casing lare two cup-shaped parts or drums |00 and ||0, which encompass the gear carrier 30 and its associated parts. Both of the drums are preferably adapted to be formed by deep drawing operations, and can be economically manufactured for that reason, and are mounted with respect to each other to rotate together and to have a longitudinally sliding it with respect to each other, so that there may be axial movement between them.

'Ihe outer drum or torque drum |00 is enlarged at its forward end, and is enclosed adjacent its periphery by a centrally apertured cover plate |0| rigid therewith, which extends inwardly but is at all times clear of the collar 36. The rearward end of the drum |00 extends inwardlyas at |02, and is pierced or punched as at |03 to form a helical splined opening in its innermost rearward portion (see Fig. 14). The splines at this point in the outer drum |00 are inclined with respect to the axis of the drumx and lle in splined engagement with a helical gear or spline |04, which is formed in the periphery of the torque gear member |05, which member |05 is carried for free rotation within the bearing |06 in .the inner and rearward end of the main casing The member I 05 in turn-encompasses and has abearing fit which permits limited circumferential movement between it and the inwardly adjacent 39 bears in the plain bearing 31 and its outer surface rotatably engages the bearing 88 in the collar 36, where it is rotatably supported as above described.` .End thrust may also be taken through the radial surfaces at and near the junction o f the annular portion 39 with the radial part of the plate I5, through the radial portions of the plain bearing surfaces adjacent thereto,.

see Figure 1.

At the rearward end of the torque drum |00 in the rearward radial wall |02, are securely fixed a plurality of pins 01, which extend inwardly of the drum, |00 and parallel to the axis thereof. The forward portions of the pins |01 extend through apertures ||2 of the rearward radial wall of the inner drum I0, and have a close sliding t therein, Vby virtue of which they are free to move axially of the inner drum ||0, but permit no circumferential movement between the drums |00 and ||0. In fact in the operation of the device, such torque as is imposed upon the inner drum ||0 is transmitted through the pins |01 to Vspline |03|04 to the lmember- |05 andthe driven members.

At the forward end of 'the inner amm mi andv preferably at the periphery of the flanged rim thereof as at I |0a a free close sliding ilt is established With the inner surface of the outer drum |00. Thus by the sliding t established through the pins |01 and apertures ||2 at the rear of the drums and through the annular sliding contact at ||0a at the forward ends thereof, the drums |00 and I0 are maintained in coaxialalignment while the outer drum is longitudinally movable with respect to the inner drum.

Thus whenever any Vtorque is transmitted through the helical spline |03|04, i. e., between the torque gear |05 and the drums |00 and ||0. there results an axially operative component of force which tends to affect relative longitudinal motion between the outer drum |00 and the inner drum H0. It will be noted that the torque gear or member |05, for all forward driving speeds, is directly connected with the driven shaft so that all the torque transmitted to or from the driven shaft by or upon the transmission mechanism is transmitted through the helical spline |03-|04, and as will more fully appear. the resultant tendency to move the torque drum |00 fore or aft with respect to the drum ||0 is employed according to the precepts of my invention to-contribute to the operation of the mechanism, particularly in the. selection and maintenance of the various gear ratios or reductions, which are from time Jtotime established therein. It will further be `noted that the torque gear or member |05 is mounted upon the member in a manner which permits small circumferenial motion relative thereto as may be necessary to eilect all the necessary axial movement of the drum |00 with respect to the torque gear or member |05 along the splines |03-|0|, see particularly Figs. 1 and 14.

The inner drum ||0 has internal splines extending throughout substantially the whole of its length as at ||3 (see also Figure 2), which may be formed by the spaced attachment thereto of arcuate plates such as ||4 in Figure 2, or may be deformed to provide a plurality of longitudinal depressions as shown in Figure 6. In either event the inner wall of the casing Hd has longitudinal splines in which are carried for rotation with the casing two groups `of clutch plates and |2| respectively. The group of plates |2| being positioned in the rearward portion of the casing ||0, and the group |20 being positioned in the forward portion thereof. Each plate of these groups extends radially inward a limited distance and terminates with an inner circular periphery as at |22 and |23 respectively, so that they freely clear the teeth 43 of the composite gear 42 and also clear the external teeth of the internal external gear 50.

Referring particularly to the group of plates |2| in the rearward portion of the drum ||0, I provide alternate intermediate and interspaced disks |25 (see also Fig. 2), which at their outer g peripheries as at |26 have a free running ilt with the smooth inner walls of the casing ||0l and may revolve freely in relation thereto.v Their inner peripheries are toothed as at |21 for engagement with the external teeth ofthegear 50, as shown in Figure 2. The splined plates |2| and the toothed disks |25 may be stamped from sheet stock and economically manufactured, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. The material of the tooth disks is preferably of steel because of its superiorstrength, particularly in the tooth portions thereoL'and I prefer that the alternate splined plates |2I be made of brass ci;`

' have a suitablefrictional relationship, when all other material which, with the steel plates, will of the plates are running in oil, as is well 'known in the art relating to multiple disk or plate clutches.

Thus at the rearward end of the drum I I0,

the groups of plates I2| and disks |25 form an element of my mechanism which constitutes both a clutch and a gear in the sense .that as a .withl the inner drum ||0, so that a gear reduction and drive between the driving and driven Vshafts is established.

Within the forward portion of the inner drum ||0 the group of splined plates |20 have the same relationship to the, casing as do the plates I2| of the low clutch-gear or flexible gear |2| |25, above described. Ina similar way there 'are arranged between each of the splined plates |20 one of the group of toothed disks |30, which fit the inner walls of the drum ||0- in the same Way that the toothed disks |25 t,as described above. In the preferred vform of my transmission shown herein the disks |30 may be identical with the disks |25 and thev plates |20 identical with the plates |2| for the sake of economy7 and standardization of the parts employed. The inner toothed peripheries of the disks |30 mesh with the teeth of the gear 43,:and transmit torque from that gear tothe drum I0 by frictional engagement with the splined plates |20, spaced between them.

This group of plates I 20 and disks |30 at the forward end of the drum ||0 I will refer to as f the second speedclutch-gear or flexible gear. Tt will thus be seen that when the first speed clutch-gear is released, and the' second speed clutch-gear is engaged, that is, when there isno a longitudinal pressure as between the plates |2| and disks |25, and when there is suilicient longitudinal pressurejoetween the plates |20 and disks |30, the drive from the driving shaft I0 will be transmitted to the internal external gear 40-43 to the second speed clutch-gear, which then functions as an internal gear rigid with the drum H0, and through it to the driven shaft as above described. y

Those skilled in the art will also understand that when both the low speed clutch-gear and the second speed clutch-gear are engaged so that y both of them function as if integrally .connected tothe drum I I0, a direct drive is established between the drivingshaft I0 and the drum ||0,

and thence to the driven shaft.' n win'further.

be seen. at this point that the drive between the driving and driven shafts in all forward speeds is transmitted through the pins |01 between the inner drum y| |0 and the outerdrum |00, and

the Whole transmitted ltorque is takenthrough the helical spline H13-|04, whereby the outer drum |00 tends to .move rearwardly with rey spect to the inner drum |I0 in response to a which tends. to cause a relative longitudinal- When the splined plates vwhich they move.

movement of the outer drum with respect to the inner drum is a direct function of the torque transmitted to the driven shaft.

Within theforward end of the torque drum |00 and arranged to rotate therewith is a centrifugal governor 80. The governor comprises a group of weights 8| symmetrically arranged and mounted for limited radial movement'on` the interior wall of the cover plate I0| and are illustrated in detail in Figures 9 to l1. The weights 8| are guided in their radial movement and restrained from rotational movement relative to the cover plate |0|v by means of a tongue 'and' groove fit thereon, each weight being provided with a groove 81 and having a free sliding t with one of the tongues 89 secured to the cover plates. Each Weight is also grooved or cut away as at 88 on the side opposite the groove 81 to permit radial movement relative to each of the cams which are axially movable through the cover plate H501:` the inner drum ||0 for actuation of the second speed clutch-gear. The

vtongues 89 are also each provided with cam surfaces 83 disposed opposite the faces of the cams Between each of the cam faces 83 and 90 are.

within the radial confines of the slot. 'I'he slots V 82a are wide enough. and deep enough,`however, to permit the rollers to turn about their own axes and roll Within limited distances transversely of the Weights. Each pair of rollers 82 is limited in its transverse movement relative to each of the weights 8| by reason of the external contact of the rollers 82 with the cams 83 and 90 respectively.

' Since the rollers contact each other, they have rolling contact with each other and with the cams 83 and 90 respectively whenever the weights 8| move or are moved with relation to the cam surfaces. It will be appreciated on the one hand,

when the governor weightsmove radially out-l ward in response to centrifugal force, that the rollers move radially outward with the weights and effect longitudinal displacement of the camsA 83 and 90 with respect to each other, depending upon the inclination of the cam surfaces across It will also be appreciated that longitudinal pressure exerted, for example, between the inclined surfaces of the cams 83 and 90 upon the pairs of rollers 82 will create a radial force which urges or moves the governor weights 8| inwardly. Preferably a light coil spring 86 may encompass all the weights 8| to facilitate` assembly and exert at least a nominal inward force on the weights during operation.

In response to rotation of the casing |00 the weights 8| will tend to move outwardly against the ,restraint imposed on the rollers bythe in. clined surfaces of the cams83 and 90. The effect of this outwardmovement of the rollers bearing on the cams 83 is to urge the drum I 00 longitudinally forward and the effect of the rollers bearing on cams 90 is to urge the cams 90 rearwardly. The cam 90 is initially free to move inwardly through the aperture of the cover plate IIB of the inner drum I |0 to effect a frictional engagement of the plates and disks of the second clutch- 'gear with the resultl heretofore described. After when thedriving torque is positive tends to move the outer drum and the cams 83 rearwardly. Axial movement of the outer drum |00 also depends upon the axial component of the force resulting from the centrifugal force tending to urge the governor weights 8| radially outward and to urge the rollers 82 radially outward between the inclined surfaces of the cams 83 and 80.

Conversely, where high torque is being transmitted through the helical spline ID3- |04 a higher centrifugal force, i. e., higher speed must be developed in the governor 80 to effect an outward travel of the rollers 82 and any movement of the cams 90. On the other hand, when the torque transmitted through the helical spline |03|04 is small orinegative, only a relatively small centrifugal force need be developed in the governor 80 to effect an extreme outward movement of the rollers 82 over the surfaces of the cams 83 and 80. In connection with the radial movement of the governor weights 8| and rollers 82 and the axial movement of the cams 83 and 90, it is to be observed that axial force transmitted through the rollers 82 to the cams 90 is alwaysA equal and opposite to the reaction of the rollers upon the cams 83. Thus the pressure on the second gear clutch plates is always a function of the torque .transmitted through the helical spline ID3-|04. On the other hand, the torque reaction tending to move or'hold the cams 83 rearwardly will not of itself effect a. movement of the cams 90 unless the rollers are drawn outwardly by the governor onto the inclined surfaces of the cams 90 and this latter movement is only accomplished when the centrifugal force is great enough to overcome the tendency of the cams 83 to move or remain in a rearward position with their inclined surfaces urging or holding the rollers 82 against radially outward motion.

When the speed of rotation is sufficient to overcome the above mentioned restraining reactions and to throw the weights to the outer limit of their radial motion, the drum |00 is moved longitudinally forward as above described to the point where the pins |01 carried on the rear wall of the drum |00 extend into the drum H0 where they bear against the ring 95 therein and through the medium of this ring compress the low clutch-gear discs and plates. From the reactions just described it is to be observed that the centrifugal governor thus possesses a second office; that is to facilitate compression of the low clutch-gear discs and plates after the second clutch-gear is engaged and thus establish a direct drive through the transmission as heretofore described.A y

The transmission of my invention is provided interiorly thereof with means to establish initially a drive between the inner drum l l0 and the low gear 50. Around the inner middle periphery of the drum ||0 are secured a series of pins |40 symmetrically spaced therearound and on which are rotatably mounted rollers |45. Be-

tween said pin-and-roller assembly and the low clutch-gear assembly is arranged a ring member |42 (see Figures 1 and 3) that slidably ts within the drum. Attached to the ring |42 by suitable means (see Figure 12) is an annular member |4| which with the ring |42 forms a. channel which carries therein atoothed disc |48 that meshes with the gear 50. The toothed disc |43 is rotatably movable and frictionally restrained against rotational movement in the channel |42a by means of a number of flat springs |46 yspaced from each other and carried in a groove formed in the ring and bearing against the face of the disc |43.

As illustrated in Figure 12 the means to establish the low gear drive, which may be referred to as the low gear starter, is preferably assembled as a unit. The annular member I4| is preferably joined to the ring I 42 by a flange on the outer periphery thereof which extends along the Iadjacent wall of the drum and has a portion peened over the edge of ring |42 as at |4217.

Limited longitudinal movement may be permitted is transmitted to the toothed disc |43 said disc |43 will, due to its lfrictional fit within the channel formed by the member |4| and the ring |42, impart a rotary movement to the ring |42. This rotary movement of ring |42 moves the cams thereon with respect to the-pin and roller assembly and due to the bearing of the rollers on the cams, forces the ring |42 and member |4| attached thereto against the clutch gear disc and plate assembly. Movement of the toothed disc |43 within the channel moves the ring |42 laterally and presses the plates |2| and discs |25 against the abutment 95 which comprises an annular ring slidably disposed at the rear of the drum member I0 and bearable against the rearward radial wall thereof. It is to be observed, however, that the iirst toothed disc |25 immediately adjacent the member |4| of the gear starter is turning with the gear .50 and any pressure applied thereto by means of the gear starter, functions to bind the rst disc |25 to the starter and thus the rotation of such disc |25 supplements the rotation of disc |43 within the gear starter to effect a movement of the starter with respect to pin and roller assembly. Further movement of the ring increases the pressure on all the discs and plates and thus the progression of movement and pressure contin'ues until the discs and plates are fully compressedto effect the low speed clutch-gear engagement whereby the drum I0 rotates in direct response to the turning of gear 50.

The annular ring member 95 is preferably U- shaped in cross section and is arranged with the bight portion of the U against the plate and disc assembly and serves as an abutment for said as- -sembly to react against the lateral movement of however, and are adapted to bear against and move the ring to eiect the direct drive heretofore described in connection with the description of the centrifugal governor. l

The spacing of the ends of the pins |01 from the bight of the ring 95 plus the free movement of the pins and lring when the ,low clutch-gear is not pressed rearwardly'by the cam ring |42 is such that forward pressure from the pins |01 is not exerted on the low clutch-gear when it is desired to establish or maintain the second speed clutch-gear in engagement exclusively. It is to4 be observed that the low speed clutch-gear is thus adapted to be actuated by the initial rotation of the driving gear and also to be actuated at a diierent time by the longitudinal movement of outer drum resulting from helical spline and centrifugal governor reactions. The rst of said low clutch-gear actuations being to establish low gear alone and the second to establish a direct drive betweenthe driving and driven shafts.

An alternative means for establishing the low gear drive or an alternative form of low gear starter is illustrated in Figure 7. The outer. drum or torque vdrum |00 is provided with a plurality of pins |60 symmetrically arranged around the drum, each of which projects through a longitudinal slot in the inner drum ||0 and contacts athrust ring |61 therein. In this form of `low gear starter, adjacent the pins |01 at the rear of the drum |00 and preferably located thereby, there are provided relatively light compression springs |63 arranged to urge the outer drum |00 rearwardly with respect to the inner drum ||0. The thrust ring |61 which is .disposed between pins |60 and the plate and disk assembly l2 25 is urged rearwardly against the plate and disk assembly through pins |60 in the rst instance by the action of the springs |63 and immediately upon movement of the plates l2 -by the reaction A from helical spline |03-|0!3. As described heretofore in connection with the description of the centrifugal governor and of the second speed gear engagement, the drum |00 is pulled rearwardly by increasing torque between the splines |03 thereon and the splines |04 on the torque gear. The initial drag in this form of gear starter is provided by the action of springs |63,functioning to effect a light compression of the assembly of disks and plates to initiaterotation of the drum at least with respect to the torque gear |05. As soon as the drum begins to be rotated the longitudinal movement thereof resulting from the torque reaction in the helical spline |03--I04 urges the pins |60 against the thrust plate and the pressure and rotation progress as in the rst form'of gear starter until the disks and plates are sumciently compressed to effect a rotation of the drums in direct response to the turning of the gear 50.

In connection with the description of both of the low clutch-gear starters above described it is to be noted that the constructions are such that the forces exerted to compress the plates and disks to' eiect engagement are proportional to the transmitted torque. In the gear starter of Figures 3 and 12 the cam ring can only move with respect to the pin and roller assembly |40- |45 to compress the clutch-gear when the toothed disks |25-|43 are moving faster than the pins and rollers and from this itfollows that the cam-ring |42l gradually ceases to move laterally to effect clutch-gear compression as the clutch-gear approaches the point where it turns as a unit with the drum. In the transmission of a light torque it requires less compression of the plates and disks to accomplish the unitary turning of the clutch-gear and drum and thus the rollers do not reach as-far along the cams to effect engagement of the clutch-gear as they would have to travel to transmit a higher torque. In the transmission of a high torque greater pressure must be applied to disk and plate assembly to eiect an engagement of the clutch-gear-and the cams move with respect to the pin and roller assembly to a higher area on the cam ring before the splined plates have reached the same rotational'speed as the toothed disks.

In the alternative form of low clutch-gear starter of Figure 7 the longitudinal movement of the pin |60 on the outer drum controls the pressure on the low clutch gear assembly and it has heretofore been described how the helical spline iBS-04 effects a longitudinal movement of the outer drum |00 with respect to inner drum `||0 in response to torque variations. Thus the pins |60 carried on the drum |00 vary the pressure on the low clutch-gear plates in response to the longitudinal movements ofthe drum and a high torque pulls the drum rearwardly and establishes a greater pressure on the low speed plates and disks to transmit a Ihigher torque. To transmit a lighter torque the pins |60 are urged rearwardly with less force and a more gentle engagement with lower pressure is established.

With varying pressures for establishing and maintaining the low clutch-gear |2|25 in engagement as above described, such engagement is maintained so far as the engagement is initiated, eitherbv the cam ring |02 reacting upon the rollers |45 or by the pins |60 as moved by the helical spline ID3-|04, so long as the drive through the internal external gear 50 onto the toothed disks |25 and |43 of the low clutch gear is positive in the sense that such drive-sets up a positive engaging force transmitted to the disks and plates by either of the above agencies.` Disregarding for the moment the other means which are provided for causing engagement of the low clutch-gear and referring only to the gear starters above described, the engaging pressure on the low clutch gear falls tozero or becomes negative from either of these sources when the torque transmitted from the internal external gear 50 'to the toothed plates of the 10W clutch gear fans ltorque,a high speed of the drum is necessary to cause the governor weights to move outwardly radially, Whereas a light torque permits a forward drum movement at a lowerl speed of rotation.

Whether the torque is high or light a forward toothed disks of the low speed clutch-gear as- ,creased beyond the speed of rotation of the.

sembly, the pin and roller assembly MII-|45 and the splined plates |2I carried by the drum advance with respect tothe toothed disks |25 and |43. Since the toothed disk |43 is frictionally associated with ring |42 it tends to restrain ring |42 and the pin and rollers Mil-|45 move into the low areas of the cams |44 on ring |42. When the rollers reach the low cam area the ring rotates therewith and the toothed disk |43 rotates within the channel |42a in the ring at a lower rotational speed than the ring. 'I'his positioning of the ring |42 with the rollers |45 in the low cam area releases the pressure on the low speed clutch-gear assembly and effects disengagement thereof.

. In the low speed clutch-gear arrangement of Figure 7 the forward movement of the drum in response to outward governor weight movement causes the pins |60 carried on the drum to move forward. As the pins |60 move forward the pressure between the plates developed by rearward drum movement is removed to permit disengagement of the low speed clutch-gear.

With either form of low speed clutch gear starter above described the disengagement of the low speed clutch-gear, when it is brought about by reason of the engagement of the second speed clutch-gear, takes place within the same small era of time and only takes place when the drive through the second speed clutch-gear and assoc iated gear train has become so denitely established as to cause an overrunnng of the drum and spline plates |2| with respect to the toothed disks |25 of the low clutch-gear. It will thus be appreciated that throughout the shift or change of speeds from the low gear reduction to the second gear reduction, that the torque is continuously being delivered to the driven shaft, and that there is no period of pause or disassociation between the driving and driven shafts, and no interruption of the transmission of the driving effort from the driving shaft to the driven shaft during the period of change. By.these means provided in my transmission, I provide for a continuous driving effort through the transmission when the speed change takes place, and I also provide for a smooth shift or change of speeds through the slippage of the second speed clutchgear, while that gear is assuming the burden of transmitting the torque which had previously been transmitted through the first speed clutchgear. In this connection it is to be noted that 90 and associated mechanism, and as increasing pressures are applied to theplates and discs thereof, proportionately increasing amounts of torque are being transmitted through the second speed gear train with the result that vsmaller amounts are leftto be transmitted through`the first speed gear train. Thus as described above, the reduction in torque'transmitted through' the first speed gear train is of itself a. factorcontributing to the disengagement thereof at and prior to the time that disengagement is affected by the actual overrunning of the drum with respect to the disks |25 of thelow speed clutch gear.

Throughout this specification, and particularly the parts of it which relate to the transmission of the torque through the frictionalcontact between the plates and disks and the clutchgears, I am not unmindful of the difference between the values of static and dynamic friction which will exist between the plates and l'disks of these mechanisms, nor should those skilled in the art be unmindful lnreading this specication that certainof the statements herein contained should be read with this phenomena in mind. Thus I am aware, for example, that a lesser pressure for a given torque is required to maintain the low speed clutch-gear in engagement. just prior to the instant of initial slipping than would be required to transmit the same torque after the co-eilicient of friction has changed and the plates and disks have started to slip.

-Various mechanisms may be employed to cooperate with the outward radial movement of the governor weights to compress the plates and disl' of the second speed clutch-gear and Figure 8 i1- lustrates a modified cam means to produce second gear engagement, This alternative form of cam arrangement operates similarly to that shown'in Figure 1 in that the outward movement of the rollers 82 efie'cts through the cams 90a and ring Sla a compression of the second clutch-gear, plates and disks. One of the cams 90a of this modification is illustrated in Figure 8a, and comprises a generally segmental blockv with an integral bar portion 93 at the lower end of the side adjacent the governor. The main body of the segmental block is proportioned to fit a rectangular slot in the cover plate I I5 of the S above the face Lis disposed at an angle to y the lface L and-the top face H is disposed at a greater angle to the face L.

The angular relation ofthe cam faces L, S and H in their respective positions of operation may be substantially as shown in the drawings for effective operation of my transmission and may if desired be similar to the relative inclinations given in the following pages hereof with reference to a specific description of the preferred form of the cam 90 heretofore mentioned. l v

'I'he bar portion 93 of the cam overhangs the side, faces thereof and extends transversely beyond the aperture in the cover-plate H5 and prevents the lower portion of the cam 90a from moving through the aperture. When the rollers 82 are at their limit of inward radial movement they bear directly against the face L and because of the engagement of the overhanging ends of the bar portion 93 with the cover plate IIB, are ineffective to produce cam movement. As the rollers move outwardly they contact the cam face S. above the bar portion and cause the cam to tilt about the edge of the bar as an axis and compress the disks and plates of the second speed clutch-gear through the ring 9 la.

The face of the ring sla adjacent the cams 94a preferably has-a major bevel adjacent the outer edge thereof as at 84 and a minor bevel at the inner edge thereof. When the cam 90a has been' tilted vfrom the position shown in Fig. 8 to an angle coincident with the `major bevel on the ring 9| a it will thereupon have a wide bearing area on the ring to transmit such loads or reactions as may be imposed upon it through the rollers 82 and the opposing cam 83. Adiacent the minor bevel on the inner edge of the cam ring sia are provided inwardly extending tangs or lugs 96 formed integrally with the cams 80a (see Fig. 8a)

and when the cams are tilted forwardly the lugs 96 insure the forward tilting motion of the cams instead of a bodily forward movement thereof.

' The foregoing description has dealt mainly with` forward speed operation; the following is devoted to the means and mechanism for reverse drive.

In connection with the description of the gear arrangement within the drums it has been stated that those skilled in the art would comprehend that torque applied to the driving shaft at a time when the drums were restrained from rotation would, by means of the eccentric arrangement of the gears, effect a reverse rotation of the driven shaft. To effect a reverse rotation of the gear carrier and a reverse rotation of the driven shaft as described it is necessary to provide means'to hold the drums against rotation. In the preferred embodiment of my invention, this is accomplished through the use of a brake band |50 best shown in Figure 4. The band I 50 is anchored at one end as at I5I by suitable means to the main casing I, is arranged around the outer drum I 00 and at the other end is fixed to a brake actuating lever and eccentric mounting such as ,I 52 pivoted in the wall of the main casing. Actuation of the lever |52 in one direction tightens the band and releases it by the opposite motion. The lever may be actuated by a foot pedal or other suitablemeans as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

, As previously described, reverse drive ,is delivered through gear-carrier 20 and shaft 2| ,when

the roller clutch, 60 is released. A shift of the lever I'I at the rear of the transmission adjacent the driven shaft will affect a movement of collar I4 to engage the same with the gear 'II on the shaft 2| and simultaneously through control `$4 affect a release of the overrunning clutch 50. Thereupon when the brake lever |52 is actuated to tighten the band |50 about the drum I 00 to prevent rotation thereof, positive rotation of the driving shaft I0 will cause reverse rotation of the carrier 30 and thus cause reverse rotation of the driven shaft through the gearingdescribed below.

As shown in Figure 1 the gear 4l! on composite gear 42 is mounted eccentric of the axes of the gear carrier 30 and driving shaft I0. The gear 44 meshes' with internal-external gear 50 as il# lustrated in Figure 2. As viewed in Figure 2, gear 50 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (the same direction as gears 44 and 40) on an axis concentric with respect to gear 44 and eccentric with respect to the 'gear carrier 30 and driving shaft I0. When the brake band |50 is tightened as above described, the low clutch-gear starter functions to compress the plates and disks of the ylow speed clutch-gear assembly, and the low speed of low speed, except that since the drum |`|0 is stationary the function of the starter is to com-A press the disks and plates to prevent rotationy of the toothed disks. During reverse drive, the drums |00 and IIO being held stationary, the centrifugal governor remains idle and no forces therefrom come into operation to disengage the low clutch-gear or change gear ratios in reverse. In reverse drive the pressure on the clutch-gear I2 I-I 25 is proportional to the torque transmitted as in low speed-and the reaction of this torque on the clutch-gear is'` transmitted through the drums to the brake band |50. A release of the brake band will permit the drums to rotate freely in response to the driving effort of the gear, 50 and thus discontinue the application of torque to the gear carrier.

As shown in Fig. 1, as above described, the col- L lar I4 may be shifted forwardly or rearwardly to engage through the internal teeth thereon at the forward end of its travel, the torque gear |05 for forward drive, and to engage the teeth on the gear II at the rearward end of its travel, for reverse drive. When the collar I4 isheld in an intermediate position, with the teeth I5 out of engagement with either ,of the above mentioned gears or teeth, then of course my transmission mechanism is in what I may style a neutral posi--V tion', i. e., is mechanically disconnected as between the driving and driven shafts thereof. Suitable manual or other means attached to the lever 11, as above described, may conveniently affect this selection.

' The brake band I 50 has in its coaction with the drum |00 another utility, viz: that when the collar I4 is transmitting torque from the gear I 05 to thel driven shaft, as it does for the forward speedsreferred to herein, tightening of the band |50 through the lever and eccentric mounting |52 will serve as a brake to retard the forwad motion of t'he vehicle. For that matter, so long as the collar It is engaged with the torque gear I 05, tightening of collar I4 is shifted from an engagement with the torque gear to engagement with the gear 'II on the shaft 2| of the gearcarriei to begin the initiation of a reversedrive through my transmission. For example, when the transmission is operated in the direct drive the torque gear |05 and the gear 'II will be rotating in synchronism and the collar I4 may be manually shifted from one to the other without clash, except, perhaps, when high torque is to be transmitted. In the preferred form of my transmission, as shown in Fig. 1, such a shifting of the collar I4 would also render inoperative the roller clutch 60, as above described, but it will be appreciated that in high gear no reaction is being taken through this clutch because the'carrier is overrunning the clutch at the speed of the driving and driven'shafts. In this situation and at this point a tightening of the band |50 about the drum |00 will retard rotation of the drum, and provided rotation of the driving shaftis maintained, will have the effect ofA bringing the vehicle to a gentle stop followed directly by a reverse motion of the driven shaft and reverse movement of the vehicle.

To enable those skilled in the art to put my invention into practice more readily, I will set forth in the following paragraphs, reference being made to Figs. 13 and 14particularly, an example of the mathematical values which I have found successfully operative for such selectably variable factors as the inclination of the cam faces and angle of the helical spline.

In a current model of motor vehicle Weighing approximately 2600 pounds, with a motor developing about 151 foot pounds torque at 2300 R. P. M. and about brake horsepower at 3750 R. P. M., I have satisfactorily operated a transmission constructed according to the precepts of my invention described herein. In this transmission the low speed gear ratio was 2.92 to 1 and the second speed gear ratio was 1.61 to 1. The clutch-gear disks and plates had a co-ecient of dynamic friction of about .065 and a coefiicient of static friction of about .091. The total governor weight was about four pounds and the slope of the helical spline |03--I 04 was about 45 degrees (see Fig. 14). 90 and 83, substantially as shown in Fig. 13, were Afound satisfactory. The faces of cam 90 (see Fig. 13) are designated L, S, and H and opposite faces of cam 03 are respectively designated L', S and H'. Ihe face L of the cam 90 was in a substantially radial plane, the face S inclined about 7 degrees with respect thereto, and the face H inclined about 15 degrees with -respect to said radial plane. The face L' of thecam 83 was inclined at about 6 degrees to the radial, the face S' was substantially in a radial plane and the face H was inclined about 15 degrees with respect to said radial plane. As shown in Fig. 13, the surface L and L' terminated at about the same outward radial distance from the center of the mechanism. The other surfaces extended substantially as shown in Fig. 13.

With this particular transmission in the particular vehicle above specified. under normal driving conditions, on a smooth level road and with the engine throttle wide open, the vehicle accelerated to about 18 miles per hour in the low-speed gear and automatically shifted into second-speed gear atabout that speed. Thereafter under similar conditions the acceleration was continued until the transmission automati-` cally shifted the drive from the second-speed gear to the direct drive at about 37 miles per hour. vWith the same equipment, under similar driving and road conditions, the automatic gear shifts or changes in gear ratios took place at lower speeds, depending upon the extent of throttle opening. For example, with a small throttle openingunder the conditions described above, the transmission would automatically establish direct drive at speeds at or less than l'l or 8 miles per hourY and would maintain direct drive so long as no more than the light acceleration or constant speed was required. The transmission would automatically shift to a lowerspeed gear ratio when greater acceleration was sought or when greater loads were imposed upon the motor, as, for example, by a rising grade in the road.

From the foregoing example of specific values for cam angles and the like, which have been'A The faces 0f the cams thereof.

gear 50, the gear 50 engages the teeth of freely may be made without departing from the precepts of my invention, it can be readily seen for example that if the weight of the centrifugal governor were increased, greater centrifugal force would be exerted on the rollers 82 for the same speed of the driven shaft, with the result that, all other conditions above remaining constant, the shifts from low to second and second to high would take place at lower speeds than above described. Variations in the inclinations of the several cam surfaces with respect to each other, within reasonable limits, other things being equal, as above specified, would change the time of the various shifts or speed changes to meet the various conditions of use to which my transmission may be put.

Not among the least of the advantages of my invention is the ease with which such elements as the cams 90 may be changed in any given mechanism to adapt the mechanism to various conditions of use.

Having described the structure of my transmission generally, andthe operation with respect to various parts thereof, the operation of the entire mechanism will now be summarized.

When the driving shaft I0 is first rotated by the prime mover the gear d0 turns the composite gear member 02 and the gear 44 at the rear 'Ihe gearl 44 engages internal-external turning toothed disks |25 and |43. The turning of the tooth disk ma and the ring |42 fncnonauy associated therewith, then causes the ring |42 through its cam action with pins |40 to function as a first speed gear starter and compress the low gear disk and plate assembly. As soon as thelow gear splined plates |2| are frictionally turned with disks |25, the drum ||0 begins to be rotated by gear 50, and turn the drum |00 through pins |01, the axis of the gear 50 being held by the gear carrier through the roller clutch 60. The drum |00 through the helical spline |03-|0fl at the rear thereof turns the helically splined member |06, and thus through collar I4 turns the driven shaft I2 in the first forward speed. The longitudinal component of force through the helical spline urges the drum |00 rearwardly and tends to force or hold the rollers 82 of the centrifugal governor in their innermost radial position out of effective contact with the first inclined surface of the cam 90. V

As the speed of the drum and driven shaft is increased, greater centrifugal force is developed inthe' governor weights 8| which tends to draw the rollers 82A radially outward against the tendency of the transmitted torque to hold them radially inward. When the point of balance as between these opposed forces ispassed, whether by increase in centrifugal force or decrease in transmitted torque, or by a combination of such conditions, and the centrifugal force in the governor is great enough to move the rollers 02 outwardly onto the inclined surfaces of the cams 90 against the resistance offered by the cam 83, the cam 00 is then forced rearwardly to initiate the engagement of the second-speed clutch-gear.

Thus the outward movement of the weights will l be transmittedA tol the cam .90 and ring 91, and

cause the same to compress the toothed disks and plates of the second speed clutch-gear assembly. At this point in the operation it is to be noted that as the pressure is being applied to effect an engagement of the second speed clutchf /gear the tendency is for the drum rotation speed to be increased with respect to the toothed disks of the low speed clutch-gear and the torque being transmitted through the low speed clutch-gear is decreasing co-incidental with a decrease in pressure on the low clutch-gear plate and disc assembly. This simultaneous increase of second gear transmitted` torque and decrease of first gear transmitted torque effects a smooth gradual disengagement of the low clutch-gear, and a smooth engagement of the second speed clutchgear. -'Ihe toothed disks of the second speed assembly, before the pressure from the cam 90 is affected, are turning at a greater speed than the sp1ined plates, but due to the friction therebetween as thecam pressure is applied, the toothed disks gradually impart their rotational speed to the sp1ined plates until both disks and plates travel at the same rotational speed, and the drums are turned by means of the second speed .clutch-gear assembly exclusively. drums in'turn drive the helical torque gear |05, and thus the driven shaft I2, as above described.

As described in detail in connection with the description of the low clutch-gear, the low clutch-gear is disengaged when the rotational .speed of' the drum exceeds the rotational speed,

of the toothed disks driven by gear 50. The effect of the difference in rotational speeds is to move the drum carried pin and rollerassembly |40|45 with respect to the gear starter ring |42 into the low area ofthe cams |44 thereon.

In the normal course of operation of the transmission of the invention, as the speed of rotation of the driven shaft and drums is increased, the centrifugal force of the governor weights i's increased thereby. If the transmitted torque does not increase sufficiently vduring the same period to resist outward movement of the rollers 82 along the inclined surfaces of the cams 83 and 90, the governor weights will move outwardly on their radial paths.

When cams 90 have reached the limit of their rearward movement for a given set of conditions, outward movement of the governor and rollers, will cause a longitudinal forward movement of the outer drum |00 with respect to the inner drum ||0 by the reaction between the cams 83, rollers 82 and cams 90. Such forward movement of drum |00 and pins |01 carried thereby effects a compression of the low gear disk and plate assembly |2||25. [Thus both the low speed clutch-gear and second speed clutch-gear are both being compressed at the same time'. As the pressure is being applied to the low speed clutchgear by pins |01, the sp1ined plates |2| tend to turn the toothed disks |25 therewith. The drum is turning at this time in response to the second speed clutch-gear lengagement and due to the difference in gear ratios the drum tends to turn gear 50 through the low speed clutch-gear at .a greater rotation-al speed than the gear 50 is being turned by the pinion 44 on composite gear l42, with the result that the axis of the gear 50 is bodily rotated, carrying with it the whole gear carrier 30 until there is no relative turning motion between the gear 50 and the composite gear l 42 or any other gears in the system. As gear carrier 30 rotates on its own axis it carries composite gear 42 and gear 43 therewith. The effect of advancing the axis of gear 43 around the drum in the same rotational direction that the gear 43 is rotating the drum, reduces the relative movement between the gear 43 and the.

The pins |01 by compressing the low gear carrier at the speed of the driving and driven shafts. When gears 43 and 50 cease Vto rotate about their own axes and rotate bodily with the gear carrier 30, the entire assemblyof gears, gear carrier 30 and drums |00 and ||0 rotate as an integral mass about the -axis of the driving and driven shafts andthetransmission of the invention is in direct drive.

While my transmission in its preferred form is in direct drive the squeezing pressure on the clutch-gearsis equal to the longitudinally exerted compressive force in the rollers 82 of the centrifugal governor. In the preferred form of my invention this pressure is always equal to the rearwardly acting pressure o'f 'the cams 83 which is actuated by the helical spline ID3-|04, and is always a function of the transmitted torque. Regardless of the radial position to which the Vrollers 82 are drawn bythe governor, in the preferred form of my invention the transmitted torque always measures the squeezing force exerted on the clutch-gear plates through the rollers 32, whether directly through the cams or through the pins |01, or both. This force,

however, cannot be effectively exerted to compressv the clutch gears without the cooperation of the centrifugal governor because the governor must supply the force to hold the rollers in a given radial position to maintain them radially on theV etc., the selection, maintenance and disengagement of direct drive and second speed is directly affected. y

When my transmission is in direct drive and when the Vspeed of the vehicle is reduced, while the torque is high enough, the longitudinal squeeze on the rollers 82 will overcome the vcentrifugal force tending to hold them in their outmost zone of operation and force them inwardly,` permitting the cams 83, drum ||0 and pins |01 to move rearwardly and release the low clutchgear. I f at that point the torque load is not too great, then the transmission will function in second gear. If, however, the torque load in such a circumstance is so great thatthe centrifugal force of the Vgovernor will not hold the rollers 82 along the middle zone of the cams 90 and 83, then the rollers may be forced to their innermost zone of operation, thereby relieving the second speed clutch-gear and permitting the first speed clutchgear to be engaged by the gear starter mechanism |42 and pin and roller assembly |40-|45. Such release of second speed clutch gear as thus described will also be accompanied by rearward movement of -pins |60 in the alternative form of lowl speed clutch-gear starter shown in Figure 7 to compress the plates and disks I2||25 of the low speed clutch gear assembly, and establish a lowgear drive in a similar manner.

The operation in' reverse, having been heretofore fully described, will not be repeated in this summary.

tion has illustrated and described a preferred form of an embodiment of my invention along withcertain modified and alternative constructions for certain parts thereof, it is to be understood that I do not thereby propose to limit myself to the specific form or detallsof construction herein illustrated and described, or otherwise, or in any manner other than by the claims appended hereto when construed with the reasonable range of equivalents to which they may be entitled in this art.

I claim:

1. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and reduction gearing disposed therebetween, a pair of friction clutches selectively engageable to connect said shafts through said gearing, a drum supporting said clutches and splined to parts thereof, a second drum encompassing the rst drum and having relative movement with respect thereto, means within the first drum for resisting movement of said clutch parts. and means forv compressing said clutches extending through the Walls of said first drum and movable by said second drum.

2. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and internal external reduction gearing disposed therebetween, a clutch-gear having internal teeth operatively connected with said gearing, a rotatable drum supporting said clutchgear, a second rotatable drum coaxially disposed with said first drum, means for restraining said drums against relative circumferential movement While permitting longitudinal movement therebetween, means for effecting longitudinal movement between said drums responsive to the torque transmitted between said shafts, and means associated with said drums bearing upon said clutch-gear for engaging the same in response to relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

3. In a transmission having a driving shaft and a driven shaft, and change speed reduction gearing directly connected with the driving shaft, and selectively connected with the driven shaft, a plurality of internal clutch-gears associated with the driven shaft and encompassing said gearing, a rotatable drum for carrying said clutch-gears, a second drum non-rotatably associated with said first drum and longitudinally movable with respect thereto, means for transmitting torque from said rst drum to said second drum to affect longitudinal movement therebetween, a centrifugal governor operatively disposed with relation to said drums to move the same with respect to each other, and means operatively connected with said drums and said governor to selectively engage and disengage said gear clutches.

4. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and reduction gearing disposed therebetween including internal gears adapted to be selectively connected withv one of said shafts, friction clutch means operatively associatedwith said internal gears for releasably and selectively connecting them with one of said shafts, a pair of coaxially arranged drums circumferentially fixed and longitudinally movable with respect to each other, the inner drum rotatably supporting said gears and slidably carrying at least parts of said clutches on its circumferential wail, and both drums having adjacent radial walls at both ends movable respectively toward each other at one endwhen moved away from each other at the other end, xed abutments carried by said inner drum for resisting movement of said clutch parts, and means acting through the radial walls of said inner drum and'movable by the radial walls of said outer drum and engaging said clutches to affect engagement and release thereof.

5. In a transmission having a driving shaft and a driven shaft and change speed gearing interposed therebetween. a pair of rotatable members secured against relatively circumferentialY movement and arranged to have relative longitudinal movement, oppositely disposed cam means respectively carried by said members, a centrifugal governor arranged to act on said cam means, means disposed between said cam means and connected with said governor, means responsive to transmitted torque for urging said cam means toward and away from each other, and means actuated by said cam means for selectively connecting said driving and driven shafts through said gearing.

6. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and change speed gearing selectively disposed therebetween, means responsive to longitudinally exerted pressures for selectively connecting said shafts through said gearing, longitudinally movable cams oppositely disposed and operatively connected with said means, means for moving one of said cams responsive to the torque transmitted from one of said shafts to the other, a pair of rollers positioned between said cams and radially movable across the faces thereof, a speed responsive centrifugal governor engaging said rollers and tending to move the' same across said cams to vary the spacing therebetween, the faces of said cams being inclined to resist outward radial movement of said rollers whereby greater centrifugal force is required to move said cams relative to each other when greater torque is transmitted from the driving to the driven shaft.

'7. A transmission comprising, driving and driven shafts and reduction gearing therebetween, a slippable clutch to couple said shafts through said gearing, means associated with said clutch to effect clutch engagement during a gear reduction anda second means associated with said clutch to effect clutch engagement for direct drive.

8. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and gearing selectively disposed therebetween, a gear carrier and eccentric bearing support coaxially aligned with said shafts and eccentrically and rotatably supporting part of said gearing, means for selectively connecting said carrier and support with the drivenshaft, a drum coaxially disposed with respect to said shafts and said carrier and support, gear means disposed within said drum and selectively engageable therewith and with said gearing, means for selectivitely restraining said carrier from negative rotation and permitting free forward rotation thereof, means for selectively restraining movement between said gear means and said drum, and means for selectively connecting said driven shaft with said drum.

9. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts, and change speed gearing disposed therebetween', means for selectively connecting said shafts through said gearing to selectively establish at least two forward speeds including a rotatable torque transmitting member having a helical spline connection with the driven shaft during each of said forward speed drives and a centrifugal governor rotated by said member, said member ooacting with said governor and modifying the forces exerted by it in proportionate relation to the torque transmitted.

10. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and selective change speed gearing therebetween, the combination of slippable clutch means selectively connecting said shafts through said gearing to produce different speed ratios between said shafts, and means to produce mounted with respect to a gear carrier member,l

clutch engaging forces' proportionate to the torque transmitted by one of said shafts'comprising a Atorque transmitting member having a helical spline connection with the driven shaft and a centrifugal governor operatively connected with said torque transmitting member and said clutch means, said torque member adding to the clutch engaging forces exerted by said governor upon said clutch means up to the point where a different speed ratio is selected through said gearing.

1l. A transmission comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft, and reduction gearing disposed therebetween, a pair of concentric drums, one disposed Within the other, mounted coaxially of said shafts, the outer drum of said pair having a spline connection with said driven shaft and being movable longitudinally through said.

spline connection with respect to the inner drum of said pair, clutch means operatively connected to said gearing carried by said inner drum and clutch actuating means projecting through the walls of said inner drum arranged to be moved by said outer drum. A

l2. In a transmission having driving and driven shafts and reduction gearing disposed therebetween, a multiple disk clutch gear mounted to move bodily with respect to said shafts and gearing having one set of disks operatively connected with one of said shafts and another set of disks operatively connected with the other of said shafts, means disposed on opposite sides of said clutch-gear for holding said gear against bodily lateral movement when engaging pressures are exerted upon either of -the opposite sides, and means disposed on opposite sides of said clutchgear for selectively exerting engaging pressures thereupon.

13. A transmission comprisinga driving shaft, a driven shaft, a pair of concentric drums, one disposed within the other, mounted co-ax'ially of said shafts, a splined connection between the outer drum and said driven shaft, the outer drum of said pair movable longitudinally through said splined connection with respect to the inner drum, means carried by said drums to prevent rotation of said drums with respect to each other, means within the inner drum of said pair operatively connected thereto tending to rotate said drums, means associated with said outer drum to restrain the rotation thereof, and means for disconnecting said outer drum from the driven shaft and for connecting said second named means to the driven shaft when the outer drinn is held against rotation.

'14. An automatic transmission comprising a driving shaft anda driven shaft in alignment with eachother, change speed gearing arranged between said shafts and a pair of telescopically arranged drums surrounding portions of said shafts and said gearing, one of said drums having a helical connection with said driven shaft and' arranged to be moved longitudinally with respect to the other drum-in response to torque variations, a speed responsive means carried by said drums moving in response to increases in ment occasioned by torque increases through said torque responsive helical connection, said speed responsive means and said, helical connection cooperating to establish and maintain a speed change gearing relationship determined by thev speed and load conditions inthe transmission.

15. An automatic transmission comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft rotatably gears mounted on said gear carrier, a plurality of clutch gears surrounding said gears'and gear carrier, said clutch gears having a splined relationship with a drum surrounding said gear car'- rier, torque responsive means and a speed re-` sponsive means operatively associated with said drum to effect compression of said clutch gears to establish through said clutch gears a geared relationship between said `driving and driven shafts.

16. In an automatic transmission, a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a gear carrier, a pair of telescopically arranged drums co-'axially mounted with respect to said drivingland driven shafts, the innerfdrum of said pair provided with a series of alternate driving and driven discs, said drivenY discs splined to said inner drum and said driving discs notched to provide gear teeth arranged to eect a geared relationship between said driving shaft and said inner drum, torque responsive means and speed responsive means carried by saidI drums, said speed responsive means -comprising a series of weights arranged to move in response to increases in speed to effect a compression of said discs and said torque responsive means acting in oppositionl to said speed responsive means tending to decrease the compression of said discs.

17. A transmission having avdriving shaft, `a

driven shaft, change speed gearing arranged between said shafts, one of the gears of said change speed gearing comprising a clutch gear having alternate driving and drivenldiscs,I the driving discs being notched at their inner periphery and the driven discs being notched at their outer periphery, means engaging the said driven discs to transmit their movement to the driven shaft, said means including a speed responsive device tending to increase the engaging pressure on said clutch gear and a torque responsive device tending to modify the engaging pressure on said clutch gear.

18. Atransmission having a driving shaft, a driven shaft, change speed gearing arranged between said shafts, one of the gears of said change speed gearing comprising a clutch gear having alternate driving and driven discs, the driving discs being notched at their inner periphery and the driven discs being notched at their outer periphery, means engaging the said driven discs to transmit their movement to the driven shaft, said means including a speed responsive device tending to increase the engaging pressure on said clutch gear comprising a plurality of cams operatively connected to said clutch gear engaged by a like plurality of radially movable weights, said cams being moved by the outward travel of said weights to increase the engaging pressure between said driving and driven discs.

19. A transmission having a driving shaft, a driven shaft. change speed gearing arranged between said shafts, one of the gears of said change speed gearing comprising a clutch gearvhaving alternate driving and` driven discs adapted to be compressed into frictional engagement to establish and maintainA a low speed gear ratio between said driving and driven shaft, another ofthe gears of said change speed gearing comprising a clutch gear adapted 'to be compressed into frictional engagement to establish a second speed gear ratio between said driving and driven shaft, a drum surrounding both ofv said clutch gears, said drum provided with la torque responsive means and a speed responsive means, said speed responsive means acting on said drum and clutch gears in response to increases in speed tending to effect a compression of said clutch gears and said torque responsive means acting on said clutch gears tending to effect a release of clutch gear engagement.

20. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a. driven shaft, change speed gearing arranged therebetween, said change speed gearing including a clutch gear adapted upon compression thereof to establish a low speed gear ratio between said driving and driven shaft, a second clutch gear adapted upon compression thereof to disengage said first clutch gear and establish a higher speed gear ratio between said driving and driven shafts, a drum surrounding both of said clutch gears mounted to move axially with respect thereto, a speed responsive means and a torque responsive means operatively associated with said drum to effect axial movement thereof and means operatively connecting said drum and said clutch gears to selectively effect engagement of either of said clutch gears and effect engagement of both of said clutch gears to establish a direct drive between said driving and driven shafts.

21. A'transmission including a driving shaft, a driven shaft and change speed gearing arranged therebetween, a drum rotatably mounted to encompass said change speed gearing, said drum fixed against axial movement with respect to said gearing, a second drum arranged about said rst drum and xed against axial rotation with respect to said rst drum, said second drum mounted for limited axial movement with respect to said first drum and having a connection with said driven shaft effective to tend to move said second drum with respect to the first in response to changes in torque, a speed responsive device acting upon both of said drums tending to move said second drum with respect to the i'lrst drum in response to changes in speed, and means carried by said drums engaging said change speed gearing to effect gear ratio changes in response to movements of said second drum.

22. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, speed change gears interposed between said shafts, one of said gears comprising a clutch gear having driving and driven discs, speed responsive means arranged to effect a frictional engagement of said discs comprising a plurality of spaced cams operatively associated with said clutch gear and a like plurality of weights movable radially outward with respect to said clutch gear into engagement with said cams in response to increases in speed in said driving and driven shafts.

23. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, speed change gears interposed between said shafts, one of said gears comprising a clutch gear having driving and driven discs, speed responsive means arranged to effect a frictional engagement of said discs comprising a plurality of spaced cams operatively associated with said clutch gear, each of said cams having a pair of surfaces inclined with respect to each other. a like plurality of weights movable radially outward with respect to said clutch gear into successive engagement with said pair of surfaces on said cams in response to increases in speed in said driving and driven shafts.

24. In a transmission, the combination of driving and driven shafts with gearing therebetween, a friction clutch also interposed between said shafts in the path of torque through said gearing and engageable by axial pressure, a radially acting speed responsive means, axially acting torque responsive means, a part axially fixed with respect to said clutch, a cam pivotally supported on said part and having pivotal contact with said clutch at a point spaced from said fixed part and having an inclined radial surface opposite said clutch and being pivotaily movable in an axial plane with respect to said fixed part, and means having a movable antifriction contact with said cam surface engaged by both said first named means.

25. The transmission described in claim 7 in which said slippabie clutch comprises toothed clutch plates in geared engagement with said gearing.

26. The transmission described in claim '7 in which at least one of the means associated with said clutch is responsive to the amount of torque transmitted.

27. The transmission described in claim 7 having means for establishing an intermediate speed ratio, said first named means automatically releasing said clutch as said intermediate ratio is established.

28. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, change speed gears interposed between said shafts, one of said gears comprising a clutch gear having disks in geared engagement with said gearing and alternate disks frictionally engageable therewith, means engaging said alternate disksto transmit their movement to the driven shaft, and means coacting with said last named means for transmitting forces to said clutch gear to effect the engaging pressure therein comprising members coacting with each other and adapted to be moved with at least one component of their movement directed to develop clutch engaging pressures in response to movements therebetween induced by the torque transmitted to said driven shaft.

29. In a transmission a driving shaft, a driven shaft, gear trains of different ratios interposed therebetween, said trains each including a clutch gear having disks in geared engagement with its associated train and having disks connected with one of said shafts, and means for selectively exerting clutch gear engaging forces upon said clutch gears to selectively direct the torque transmitted from the driving to the driven shaft through said trains.

JOHN SNEED. 

